Pace Announces the RC429 - A Versatile Steel Off-Roader

Jan 2, 2024
by Pace Cycles  
photo
RC429 Trail Edition // Photo by Nick Hill ~ NM Design

PRESS RELEASE: Pace Cycles

RC429 - The Unicorn

The new RC429 is a North Yorkshire-bred down country steel hardtail. It's your rowdy sibling to our longer travel RC529. Designed to redefine what's possible within this segment this model has a range of applications and builds from trail to bikepacking, flat bar to drops.

Hitting a sweet spot for general trail riding or bike-packing this is the ultimate do-it-all bike you've been looking for, its roots are hardtail trail but can double as your life-long partner for travelling far and wide.

Off-road riding and what that encompasses has progressed and consequently so have our bikes. Whether or not you want to take the easy way or the hard route the RC429 is designed to meet modern demands yet within a simple and supremely durable machine. The frame has design elements in place that make that whole bikepacking experience much better from dynamo cable internal routing to a multiple bag and rack mount positions.

Aswell as allowing you to reignite your spirit for adventure the RC429 is also designed to fuel a fast-paced XC power hour, ride through any landscape of your choice or tuck in on the drop bars on a gravel fireroad, this is a bike that's ready to rise to any occasion and get you away from it all.

photo
RC429 Gravel Edition // Photo by Nick Hill ~ NM Design

photo
RC429 Gravel Edition // Bags by Restrap // Photo by Nick Hill ~ NM Design

Technical data:

• 100-130mm travel
• Slack/progressive geometry
• Flat bar/Drop bar compatible
• Suspension/rigid fork compatible
• 29" boosted wheels
• Made in Europe

• Reynolds 853 steel
• Designed/tested in North Yorkshire
• Big range of mounting options on frame and fork
• UDH / T Type compatible
• Custom builds available
• Dynamo lighting internal rooting


photo
photo
Designed in North Yorkshire, Made in Europe // Photos by Nick Hill

photo
RC429 Downcountry Edition // Bags by Restrap // Photo by Nick Hill ~ NM Design

We worked by drawing on the best of our knowledge in terms of ergonomics, innovative, high performance and electronics. And we developed this new chassis specifically for off-road adventure so when you reach your destination and want to explore more the 429s progressive geometry won't hold you back or limit your riding options.

RC429 is functional, a 'sport tool', competent, technologically advanced and effective like all Pace designs.

The RC429 is a partner for the long haul.

photo
RC429 Trail Edition // Photo by Nick Hill ~ NM Design

Finish:
Colours - Moss Grey, Sid Blue and Rioja Red. Black decals, all under a clear gloss lacquer.
Anti-Corrosion protection applied before paint system

Price - £899 frame only, rolling chassis and 3 bike variations available - T Pack (Trail Build) - D Pack (Down country Build) and G Pack (Gravel Build) Then there's also three build options within each 'Pack'. We wanted to give the customer all the options to suit their riding style, but if there's something you want to change, we can custom build anything for you.

Availability - March 2024 for medium and large. June for Small and XL. Pre-order open now - place a refundable deposit to secure frame.

All geometry and specifications can be found on the website: www.pacecycles.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Press Releases Pace


Author Info:
pacecycles avatar

Member since Sep 5, 2018
11 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Police Called to Scott Sports Headquarters as CEO Dispute Continues
63824 views
First Ride: Fox Releases New Grip X & Grip X2 Dampers
46255 views
Pinkbike Poll: Center Lock or 6-Bolt Brake Rotor Mounting?
42324 views
Tech Briefing: Fancy Suspension, Carbon Wheels, Spring Apparel & More
37087 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line for Round 1
33262 views
SRAM Patent Shows Compact Motor x Battery Unit
31382 views
Bike Check: Craig Evans' Airdrop Edit V5
30395 views
First Look: Fair Bicycle's Drop Best Offset Saddle Clamp is Universally Compatible
29092 views

67 Comments
  • 26 2
 The drop bar looks a lil goofy with that geometry, but overall looks like a really solid hardtail.
  • 8 0
 Yeah I'm not buying the drop bar setup. But the trail hardtail numbers look sorted, and with an alt bar, that crazy fork, and all those mounts, it could make a pretty capable off road touring bike.
  • 4 3
 TOMAC!!! roadbikeaction.com/throwback-thursday-drop-bars-on-the-kamikaze
  • 3 1
 I own and RC127+ since 2018, Pace bikes really are high quality.
  • 2 0
 Not if you're a regular on The Radavist.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: I wouldn’t want to ride around on something like that, but with the current ultra-low reach, very high flare drop bars it’s possible to ride downhill in the drops quite confidently, while still leaving you with a lot more hand positions than a flat bar, so I can see where the Radavist guys are coming from.
  • 2 1
 @FuzzyL: I'm curious. I've had drop bars on my double hardtail (rigid bike) and it was great except for the cable brakes which were very limiting. I would love to try some wide drops with a bouncy fork and proper brakes.
  • 20 1
 That's a damn nice looking bike.
  • 3 19
flag yupstate (Jan 3, 2024 at 5:20) (Below Threshold)
 Not to be rude. But could this mean you just like hardtails? I mean they just about literally all have the exact same frame shape and look.
  • 4 0
 Looking at it makes me miss my Explosif.
  • 2 1
 @yupstate: and all DH bikes look like a session.
  • 2 5
 @CustardCountry: LOL the design of this bike is literally two triangles welded together like most hard tails. If you google "steel hardtail" there's like 800 pics of bikes that look basically the same. DH bikes or FS trail bikes, etc. have tons of different design styles, suspension layouts, linkage designs, etc. Now I will say there's some oddball hardtails out there that DO have a different look to them, but this isn't one of them. To be fair there's nothing wrong with it, but it just strikes me as odd to look at a golf ball or something and be like Dayyum! that sucker is gorgeous!
  • 17 6
 Sit on my Pace and tell me that you love me....
  • 4 11
flag generictrailrider (Jan 2, 2024 at 17:49) (Below Threshold)
 Creepy, bro.
  • 6 0
 @generictrailrider: It's literally in the manufacturer's website.
  • 5 0
 @generictrailrider: It's a reference to a Mint Sauce cartoon in MBUK in the 90s Smile
  • 3 0
 @korev: also a Monty Python song.
  • 2 0
 @korev: Monty Python song from the 80's.
  • 2 0
 Life would be fine if we both 29...
  • 9 1
 Unless it has square tubo no and is purple it isn’t a pace
  • 11 4
 Vertical dropouts, booooo
  • 6 0
 I think this is one of the biggest downsides to all the bikes that have gone to UDH/transmission... Not many options with UDH and a sliding dropout Frown
  • 3 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: Esker Japhy is one that has sliders and UDH compatibility. I don't think they're coming with the UDH dropouts stock but they are an aftermarket option.
  • 5 3
 …I don’t see vertical dropouts?
  • 3 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: modular dropouts...I legit can't understand how these are not more common
  • 5 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: as I understand it, once you go to Transmission, chain length is very important. So would a sliding dropout even work unless you are willing to change chain length (or have multiple cut chains) to have adjustable rear centre?

It's kind of sad that bikes are getting more adjustable (head angle, reach, flip chips, etc) but the introduction of udh and then Transmission might eliminate the ability for manufacturers to put probably one of the most noticeable adjustments (chainstay length) on their bikes if they want to stay compatible.
  • 1 0
 @blissindex: well, not sliding
  • 2 0
 @artistformlyknowasdan:

Salsa Timberjack and Ventana El Comandante have'em.
  • 2 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: Paragon Machine Works offers a modular sliding dropout system including UDH compatibility (even retro fittable?)
  • 2 0
 @Andykmn: I think sliding dropouts would likely create a chain length dilemma, but I feel like there must be a way to make a 2 position rear axle (like what Rocky Mountain and some other brands currently offer) Transmission compatible. Most people who want sliding dropouts want it for singlespeed compatibility and I don't think there is much overlap between those folks and people who want a 12sp electronic drivetrain!
  • 1 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: one would think but I seem to remember a launch or review within the last few months where there was an axle flip chip and they said that Transmission was only useable in the rear position.
  • 1 0
 @hitchhikerbikes: Paragon Machine Works make one that any bike manufacturer can use. I have a set on my Revel Big Iron V2 (titanium fat bike)
  • 1 0
 @Andykmn: just because its udh doesn't mean you have to use the sram transmission.
  • 7 0
 Can we buy just the 510 AC rigid fork?
  • 2 0
 Doesn’t look like it’s available on their site but RSD has a 510 a2c rigid fork.
  • 10 0
 You can, those will be available on the website by the end of the week
  • 2 0
 Rigid forks are fun. Ive just put a Bird Forge fork (505mm A2C) on my Solaris Max.
  • 2 0
 @pacecycles: Thanks!
  • 2 0
 @Klimbnbike: Thanks! Guessing same manufacturer. Not easy to find. Longest I have at the moment is the Trek 1120 fork.
  • 3 0
 Owned a Pace RC529 for a couple of years. Couldn't fault it and miss it sometimes. This new one seems to have a couple of new thingies, which are nice. What's with all the bolt holes on the toptube and seatstays? And I do hope they have their cable management sorted out for those on mainland Europe. Some of us like to have their rear brake on the right without having to cross cables and hoses underneath the bottom bracket.
  • 5 0
 Is that TType with a Shimano casette? Wouldn't have thought the chain would be compatible?
  • 6 0
 Based on the rotor / brake matchups, I think the wheelset for the drop bar / flat bar setups got flipped accidentally.
  • 3 0
 Nice. Looks like a great bike for hitting the singletrack, panniers or otherwise.
Pace make some sweet HT’s, & this looks like another fine addition to the range.
  • 5 0
 Nice looking hardtail,hideous looking monstergravelcross.
  • 4 0
 Damn, I lusted after their bikes in the 90s...they were soooo hot!
  • 4 0
 Me too! Square tubes for the win.
  • 4 0
 Pace still exist? Anyway, pretty bike. The one with proper bar.
  • 5 0
 30lb roadbike...
  • 7 4
 I wonder if Pivot won’t like the “429 Trail” part.
  • 4 0
 Who cares what Pivot thinks?
  • 1 2
 @therealmancub: Lawyers looking to make their mortgage payment.
  • 1 1
 @therealmancub: me. Calm down, dude.
  • 1 1
 I wish Pace still built their own forks. Their Rc40 / 41 series were amazing. I'd love to see a 36/38mm stanchion version in 2024, it's not like DT are still using that design now.
  • 5 2
 looks like a cotic
  • 2 0
 Looks like quite any aggro hardtail from these last years. Differences are into details.
  • 2 0
 Please show us the other colours.
  • 2 2
 Cool bike , you could do that to any hardtail unless of course you agonise over tiny details that you've been fed by the mtb media.
  • 2 0
 Which tubes are 853, I wonder? Main triangle, or just the DT?
  • 4 0
 All of the main triangle, the rest is Pace Chromoly steel
  • 2 0
 I love that Pace are still around.
  • 2 0
 Sittin' pretty.
  • 2 0
 Round tubes? Nooooooo Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Smells like a Kona Unit.
  • 1 0
 there we go, a 29'er
  • 1 1
 More steel bikes in 2024
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.036586
Mobile Version of Website